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N.D. (NewsDakota.com) – After an in-depth analysis, the North Dakota Army National Guard has decided to shut two of its 23 armories in the state. Leaders plan to close the Hazen and Cavalier facilities by December.

“This decision did not come quickly or easily, but challenging times require difficult decisions,” said Maj. Gen. David Sprynczynatyk, North Dakota adjutant general. “We are facing a future of uncertainties – both in North Dakota and around the United States – due to new national strategies regarding the size and composition of our military force. That’s coupled with the drawdown in Afghanistan and constrained funding due to sequestration. We need to find a balance that will allow us to continue to provide support for domestic requirements while maintaining our federal relevancy.”

Many states are moving toward regionalization by focusing on larger, more efficient facilities in key population areas. As in other states, North Dakota National Guard leaders expect this approach to enhance the ability to maintain Soldier and unit readiness by concentrating recruiting efforts in those key population areas. Furthermore, it’s expected that regionalization will increase the Guard’s ability to respond to natural disasters. Additionally, it will reduce the long-term state costs required for updating and modernizing outdated facilities while also giving the Guard the potential to bring in federal funding for new construction in bigger population areas closer to where the majority of Soldiers live. Currently, 71 percent of all North Dakota Army National Guard members live within 10 miles of the state’s 10 biggest cities.

The North Dakota National Guard has used the Hazen Armory since 1977, when Detachment 1, Company A, 164th Engineer Battalion established its home there. Today, it’s home to Detachment 1 of the 818th Engineer Company (Sapper), which will move to Minot once the armory closes.

Cavalier became home to the Guard’s Company A, 231st Engineer Battalion, in December 1946. Today, the 134th Quartermaster Detachment drills at the armory. Those Soldiers will transition to Grand Forks after the armory closes.

“Hazen and Cavalier have supported our service members for many years, both through stateside call-ups and overseas deployments,” Sprynczynatyk said. “We’re grateful for the communities’ many years of support and the important role each played in the North Dakota National Guard.”

The state’s remaining 21 North Dakota Army National Guard armories are in Bismarck, Bottineau, Cando, Carrington, Devils Lake (Camp Grafton Training Center), Dickinson, Edgeley, Fargo, Grafton, Grand Forks, Jamestown, Lisbon, Mayville, Minot, Mott, Oakes, Rugby, Valley City, Wahpeton, Williston and Wishek.